This Day in History – April 24/30 Nissan

30 Nisan

According to some opinions, today is the last day one may recite Birkas Ha’ilanos.

In 5419/1659, eight Jews were killed al kiddush Hashem in Przemysl, Poland.

In 5693/1933, Jewish students were barred from all German schools.

In 5693/1933, the notorious Gestapo was established.

Yahrtzeiten

4901/1141, Rabbeinu Yosef Migash, zt”l, the Ri Migash, talmid of the Rif

5380/1620, Harav Chaim Vital, zt”l, talmid of the Ari Hakadosh

5477/1717, Harav Avraham Broide, zt”l, Rav of Frankfurt

5529/1769, Harav Nesanel Weill, zt”l, the Korban Nesanel

5536/1776, Harav Yaakov Emden, zt”l, son of the Chacham Tzvi

5751/1991, Harav Moshe Hershler, zt”l, publisher of many sifrei haRishonim

5684/1924

Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro Of Drohbovitch, Zy”a

Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro was born on 10 Kislev 5624/1863. His father was Harav Aviezri Zelig, zt”l, who, in turn was the son of Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel of Moglenitze, zy”a. He was born in Sadigura while his father was still living in the court of his father-in-law, Harav Avraham Yaakov, Rebbe of Sadigura, zy”a.

From Sadigura the family moved to Stry, where Harav Avriezri Zelig was niftar on 19 Av 5645/1885.

Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel married the daughter of Harav Yitzchak of Bohush, zy”a. After the petirah of his father, he moved to Drohbovitch, where he founded a large beis medrash that served as a refuge for all those who didn’t have lodgings.

With the outbreak of World War I, Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel fled Drohbovitch to Hungary, and from there to Vienna.

Following the war, in the summer of 5682/1922, Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel fulfilled his life’s dream by moving to Eretz Yisrael with his entire family (except his elderly mother). They settled in Yerushalayim.

Unfortunately, shortly after his arrival in Eretz Yisrael he took ill. He returned to Vienna for surgery but went back to Eretz Yisrael after the doctors gave up all hope.

Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel lived in Eretz Yisrael only two years; he was niftar on 30 Nisan 5684/1924.

His son, Harav Avraham Yaakov, zy”a, succeeded him as Rebbe. He also had a son-in-law, Harav Avi Ezra Zelig Shapiro of Gvodzitz.

Zechuso yagein aleinu.

April 24

In 1800, Congress approved a bill establishing the Library of Congress.

In 1877, federal troops were ordered out of New Orleans, ending the North’s post-Civil War rule in the South.

In 1953, British statesman Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1990, the space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope.